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just wanted to let you all know my baby was born 07/11/11 totally healthy and typical chromosomes. try not to worry too much!

I'm terrified! I have two healthy baby girls (ages 4 and 9 months) and I'm now 20 weeks pregnant with my 3rd little girl. When I went in for the gender ultrasound on Monday they found a "bright spot" on the baby's heart. The doctor then told me that it is a soft marker for down syndrome. However all of the measurements for the baby's head, legs etc. were normal. I also had negative quad screening results. Is still don't know for certain whether or not this baby has down syndrome or not. My question is...has anyone had these same results and if so, what was the outcome???

Hi BDEN, first congratulations with your pregnancy. At my 20 week ultra__sound the EIF was also found on my baby's heart on both the LV and RV. I was also terrified. Please try not to worry. Did you have your blood test and NT scan already? The EIF is such a soft marker that my Dr/OBGYN didn't find it to be a concern at all. Have you had the opportunity to join the Facebook Support Group? I found both this site as well as the Facebook Support group to be extremely comforting. Send an email to stepanie.egger"at"gmail.com and ask her to send you an invite to join the group. You will find many other moms and moms to be who are in the same or were in the same position as yourself. I was in total shock myself when I was told of the EIF.. thank goodness for the support and all the positive stories on the forums that helped me. BTW I had my 'healthy baby girl' on May 21st. No signs of any downs. Do not let this ruin your pregnancy.

I am now facing this problem...My Quad came back Positive for Downs 1/217 and then at Level 2 U/S they found 1 Marker, an EIF on Heart. Going in for Amnio in a week. Has anyone had Abnormal Quad & an EIF ? What were the end results ? Can't get this off my mind

Thank you so much de hugh!! I was actually wondering about the FB group and just sent Stephanie and email request. I did have the blood test and it was negative (AFP for Down Syndrome was 1:10,000). My doctor keeps telling me not to worry but I'm sure you know that's impossible for an expecting mother. What is the NT scan? I'm not sure if I had that. I was sent to the specialist for my Ultrasound when the EIF was found, do you know if that's considered a Level 2 U/S? peblkb- you are in my thoughts, I know exactly how you feel and I hope you get some comforting answers :)

Hi BDEN, 1:10,000 is amazing! Mine was 1:7000. Oh and did I mention that I was also 38 years old when I had my 2nd daughter in May? The NT scan is the test that was done at 12 weeks, the measurement of the fluid behind the babies neck. I'm sure if there were any concerns your dr would have mentioned it to you by now. My doctor completely blew it off like it was nothing. I had spoken with a few OBGYNs and they told me how they get several of the EIF from ultrasounds/day. Technology is way too advanced for our good. In some countries ie in Europe they don't even count the EIF as a soft marker. It's just unfortunate b/c it worries the pregnant mom. Once you join the Facebook group you will find comfort in the stories. But I know how you feel it's terrifying. I was in tears when I found out. I found out when I was at work.. so can you imagine how bad I wanted to leave work?

de-hugh- NO, I guess I din't have the NT scan but that's okay... one less test to stress in my opinion :) I am just so amazed at how many people experience this. I am very hopeful after reading a lot of these posts and can't believe how many EIF ultrasounds are seen per day. Too bad we're not like Europe and just don't even consider it but that's not the case. I thought about having an amnio but my husband doesn't think it's necessary right now. I am 30 right now...I cannot imagine finding out at work- you poor thing!!!

Hi All, I just wanted to share my story... this time last year, I couldn't even think straight because a four months earlier, my 20 week ultrasound revealed an echogenic focus in my son's heart. All I did for the remainder of my pregnancy was worry. Google was my best friend and my worst enemy...I was consumed by my "research". I was pregnant for the first time at 35 and as crazy as this sounds, I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was almost 20 weeks along. I know, crazy, right? That's a story in itself: I never had a regular period so going three or four months without one wasn't a big deal. I had some symptoms but since I traveled at the time for work, I attributed my exhaustion to time zone differences, my weight gain to eating out all the time, my nausea to motion sickness, you get the picture. I had been married almost two years and we weren't exactly practicing safe s_x and nothing ever happened. In fact, I was told by a previous doctor that I would have issues conceiving naturally and that I would need "help". Add a fibroid or two to the equation and I was convinced I was never getting pregnant...boy were we wrong! I finally felt a "lump" in my belly to which I thought was one of the fibroids that had really grown. I remember telling my husband that I needed to go to see the lady doctor but then I got to thinking... I had other symptoms that I had no idea could occur later in pregnancy: bleeding gums and heart burn from hell. So there I go consulting my friend Google...by the end of my search, I was convinced that my ailments were caused by one of two things: cancer or pregnancy. I thought it was cancer. I know it's sounds stupid but when both your mother and sister have pa__sed from cancer, it's pretty easy to believe. So long store short, I peed on the stick and it was positive...one of the best moments in my entire life! We were beside ourselves with joy until two weeks later when the bright spot was found. Considering my age, the EIF seemed to be a big deal. I was convinced our baby would be born with DS. The genetic counselor pushed the amnio like girl scouts push cookies. Looking back I think that was part of the reason why I was so worried. Because I missed the first half of my pregnancy, I missed the early testing but I did have blood work done and my odds were 1 in 1200 cut that in half because of my age...1 in 600 chance. Not bad I would tell myself but what if I was that one? We decided against the amnio because we figured, we were meant to have this baby regardless. It felt like a miracle just being pregnant, I didn't want to risk it. But oh how I worried... Our baby boy came exactly a week early coincidentally on my 36th birthday! I remember that morning when my water broke, thinking to myself we'll be finding out in the next few days if our son will have DS or not. Truthfully, it wasn't the DS I was entirely worried about, it was the complications that most times come with DS. The heart issues primarily scared me to death! Again, like most if not all on this board, I worried until I cried. It didn't even cross my mind that there were far worse things that could have happened. We learned this the hard way...I ended up having a placental abrumption and we almost lost our sweet boy. If it weren't for the hospital staff who moved at literally a lightning speed, my baby wouldn't have made it. I remember as the doctor was performing the emergency c-section hearing the words, "this baby is blue, guys...this is not good." After that, silence. Not a word or a cry. I thought to myself, "my baby is dead". Until then was I able to forget the words Down Syndrome. By the grace of God, our boy was fine. No further issues or complications and no DS. By a mother's standards, he is perfection. Not because he doesn't have DS but because he is alive and well and in just ten short days, we will be celebrating his first year of life! I'm sorry to make this so long, I've been meaning to post for a while now since I get notifications when new posts are entered. I'm not going to tell you not to worry because you will. I remember being in your shoes and scouring the internet for positive outcomes because they gave me some peace of mind if only for a moment. Hang in there mommas, it will be ok! God bless.

i would just like to say that i read every comment in this thread and it has eased my mind. my wife and i were told that our baby has 2 white spots in his heart..one in the left ventricle, and one in the right. like many here, we have both been very nervous and worrysome over this. i would love to be added to the eif support group on facebook if possible..that way my wife and i can both join and hear everyone's stories and talk about our concerns. i'm a little more worried considering that most people had only one white spot...and we have two in each ventricle..please reply with your experiences and add me to the efi facebook group. my email is ix3623 "at" gmail.com . thanks in advance to everyone here

Hello ix3623 send Stephanie an email and ask her to send you an invite to the Facebook support group.. You can can send her email at stepanie.egger"at"gmail.com You will find a lot of comforting positive stories. The group and stories helped me. My daughter was diagnosed with EIF on both the RV and LV. My daughter was born on May 21st (her actual due date :) She was both Healthy, 7lbs 14 ozs. It was love at first site.

Hello Everyone, I also just found out that my baby has an echogenic focus. I am 37 years old and this is my first baby and I am 18 weeks. The technician didn't say anything was wrong.It wasn't until we went back with the dr and she said ok so everything looks good..but there are certain indicators for Downs and you have 1 soft marker. I asked if I should get an amnio and she said I wouldn't as the risk is 1/300 but that I should go back to the genetic counselor. So, they sent me back to the genetic counselor the same day. My first trimester results nuchal and bloodwork came back 1/935 for Downs which they said is considered positive as the cutoff is actually 1/1000 but not to worry as that is better than the average 37 year old when you just walk in the door. I also got some sort of second screening test which was a lot better. The risk is 1/7000 but now due to what they found on the ultrasound they said it would go to 1/3000. I know that these numbers are actually really good but I can't sleep or work. I'm worried that even though my numbers are good that due to my age they really don't mean much. I asked the genetic counselor what she thought and she said all she could tell me is that she does have patients who have the same risk that choose to get an amnio. I have been worried sick about this since yesterday. What is supposed to be a happy time has just become me spending hours researching and thinking "What if". I am debating on whether or not to have the amnio. I only have a week to decide as I am almost at the cutoff for getting an amnio according to my dr. I really want to find out for sure as I am the type of person who worries about things all the time anyway and it would set my mind at ease but if I lost the baby after the amnio I would be devasted. My husband agreed to an amnio but he also is of the mindset that we could have a healthy baby and something could happen later in life and we would still love and care for the baby. I'm also now thinking of all sorts of other birth defects not just Downs as my brain is working overtime. I have felt some rea__surance from this board. I am glad everyone on here has had a good end result but the stress is just overwhelming.

I had a positive Quad Screen for Downs 1/217 and then was sent to Perinatologist and she found an EIF which brought my risks up to 1/100. I am 29. I didnt eat sleep do anything but lay in bed and cry for a couple weeks. I finally was approved for an amnio , got it done... so easy and fast... and new within 3 days (from the FISH) results that my little girl had all NORMAL chromosones and No Down Syndrome !! I am a worrier and there is no way I could have waited... I am SOOOO GLAD I had an Amnio !! It doesnt even hurt and most Perinatologists do this and not just your OBGYN , which is even safer, they do several a day. I say do it to ease your mind. But with your numbers you are 99% going to have a Normal Baby !!

Hi Dana37 - I had my twin girls 7 months ago and it was a year ago that I was feeling the exact same way you are feeling right now. So - now that I have the benefit of time and perspective (and I would like to point out both babies are absolutely fine), I thought I would try to help you get a bit of perspective as well. Given my age (I'm 36) and the fact that I was having twins, and some other factors that aren't really important, and then the EIF on one twin's heart, I was told that my risks of having a baby with DS were 1/75. That number is really really scary. I had a much higher risk that you have. MUCH higher. And I started freaking out. I was also in a very difficult position because if I had opted for the amnio they would have wanted to test both babies, which doubled my risks of miscarriage from the amnio. The risks for something going wrong with the amnio, then, were about 1/150. I didn't know what to do. So I decided the only thing I could do was the math. A 1/75 chance of having a baby with DS is 1.33%. Going the other way, I determined that I had better than a 98.5% chance that everything would be fine. When I started looking at it that way, I realized that the risks of DS were actually quite low. In the end, I opted not to do that amnio due to the risks I mentioned above, and based on my calculation of the percentage chance that something would be wrong with my baby. I'm not saying not to do the amnio, but I just wanted to provide you with a little math to help clear things up a bit. If you have a 1/3000 chance of a baby with DS, that's about a .003% risk. Which means you have a 99.99% chance that everything will be fine. Those are REALLY good odds! In fact, you have a greater risk that something else could happen to your child. Not that I want anything else to worry you - but really, I think you needn't worry about this. So far, on this site, I have yet to see anyone with odds like yours or even odds like I had post that their baby was born with DS, where only an EIF was present. Please please please - try not to worry about it. Again, I absolutely know what you're going through, and here I am, almost a year later, telling you it's going to be okay. I'm more than 99% sure of it. :)

Hey everyone...finally took the time to set up an account on here so I can post comments. I started reading on this forum 6 weeks ago when I had my level 2 ultrasound done and an EIF was found on my little boy's heart. I have since been on the FB support group for which I have found so much comfort in all the positive stories of healthy babies being born all who have had EIF's on their heart. I have found other with fantastic odds and others with very bleak odds but have sill delivered healthy little ones. I never did do any blood tests or genetic screening. I've had three healthy babies already I just a__sumed I would once again. So my odds could only be given on age alone. At 34 the perinatologist said I would typically have a 1 in 500 chance, but with the EIF those odds have to get cut in half to 1 in 250. Which totally scared the c___p out of me but I think are still pretty good odds when you do the math like TwinMama2B! :)I am currently 30 weeks and have chosen to wait it out without an amnio for another 10 weeks. I don't feel there is any point in risking the pregnancy when there is nothing I can do about it anyways. He already is what he is...our son. :)

Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and what you had to go through. It definitely makes me feel better to hear all the positive stories. Especially when it seems most people have had a much higher risk than me. I think if I was just going by the numbers then I wouldn't think much of it, but the dreaded everything is ok..but the soft marker for echogenic focus is still in my mind. Has anyone found any research where it states how many babies have an echogenic focus as their only marker and were born with DS? I haven't been able to find too much on this. I talked to my doctor again and she told me not to stress over this but to call her on Tuesday with my decision about the amnio. We're still on the fence but the positive endings on here have really helped my thought process. I'm the last one of my group of friends to get pregnant. They all got pregnant in their 20's and none of them had any genetic testing at all and everything was ok for them too.

Hello, I just want to thank everyone for posting their stories.I am 26 weeks pregnant I had an US 1 month ago and the doctor noticed a white spot in my baby's heart. I was scared to death but after I read all those stories that I really wasn't alone I felt a big relief. My doctor did referred me to a generic conseling even she told me that I dont have to worry and all my blood test were normal so I really dont need to worry ..I am just wondering why she is sending me to generic testing if she knew everything was fine...Please help ...Thank you